patency

American  

[peyt-n-see, pat-] / ˈpeɪt n si, ˈpæt- /

noun

1. the state of being patent.

2. Medicine/Medical. the condition of not being blocked or obstructed.

3. Phonetics. openness of articulation, found more or less in all phonemes except stops.

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patency British  

/ ˈpeɪtənsɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being obvious

2. the state of a bodily passage, duct, etc, of being open or unobstructed

3. phonetics the degree to which the vocal tract remains unobstructed in the articulation of a speech sound See also closure

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Etymology

Origin of patency

First recorded in 1650–60; pat(ent) + -ency

Example Sentences

So that tells us at least in this case, in this one study, that the patency effect is incredibly powerful.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2024

Probably we dislike the ape because of the very patency of his human affinities.

From A History of Science, Volume 5(of 5) Aspects Of Recent Science by Williams, Henry Smith

The more the present defective state of our scientific organization is commented on, the more likely is it to be remedied; for the patency of error is ever a sure prelude to its extirpation.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXVI. October, 1843. Vol. LIV. by Various

Aneurism of the aorta of itself does not produce the signs arising from permanent patency of the mouth of the aorta.

From Makers of Modern Medicine by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

The phenomenon of "blue-disease," or congenital cyanosis, is due to the patency of the foremen ovale, which, instead of closing at birth, persists sometimes to adult life.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)